emotion

noun

emo·​tion i-ˈmō-shən How to pronounce emotion (audio)
1
a
: a conscious mental reaction (such as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body
b
: a state of feeling
c
: the affective aspect of consciousness : feeling
2
b
obsolete : disturbance
Choose the Right Synonym for emotion

feeling, emotion, affection, sentiment, passion mean a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation.

feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it.

the feelings that once moved me are gone

emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses.

the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence

affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.

a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.

her feminist sentiments are well known

passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

Examples of emotion in a Sentence

a display of raw emotion The defendant showed no emotion when the verdict was read. She was overcome with emotion at the news of her friend's death.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the Telugu movie that works across the country is still rooted in Indian emotions and mythology. Vishal Menon, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025 There’s just all sorts of emotions, but overwhelmingly, gratitude. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 16 May 2025 Scent is one of the most powerful ways to immortalize a moment in time, many thanks to the olfactory system’s direct line to the amygdala and hippocampus (the parts of the brain responsible for emotion and memory). Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 16 May 2025 These differences included areas responsible for executive functions like logical reasoning, as well as managing emotions. Alice Park, Time, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for emotion

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from emouvoir to stir up, from Old French esmovoir, from Latin emovēre to remove, displace, from e- + movēre to move

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Time Traveler
The first known use of emotion was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emotion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emotion. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

emotion

noun
emo·​tion i-ˈmō-shən How to pronounce emotion (audio)
1
: strong feeling : excitement
2
: a mental reaction (as anger or fear) marked by strong feeling and usually causing physical effects

Medical Definition

emotion

noun
emo·​tion i-ˈmō-shən How to pronounce emotion (audio)
1
: the affective aspect of consciousness
2
: a state of feeling
3
: a conscious mental reaction (as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body compare affect
emotional adjective
emotionality noun
plural emotionalities

More from Merriam-Webster on emotion

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